Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 42
42
Accepted
DfE considers future pupil numbers when selecting schools for rebuilding programmes.
Conclusion
DfE reassured us that, when selecting schools for the School Rebuilding Programme, it considers the likely future pattern of pupil numbers, to avoid prioritising schools that are struggling to attract pupils and therefore do not warrant a full rebuild.65 It also emphasised that, ideally, there should be more school places than children, to allow some parental choice in the system and to accommodate demographic rises. It explained that the free schools programme exists partly to give entry to those who have different ideas about how schools might be run, and also to offer that wider range of choice in the system.66 64 July 2023 session, Q 28 65 July 2023 session, Q 29 66 July 2023 session, Qq 32–33 The condition of school buildings 21
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation, stating that local authorities already consider pupil numbers and forecast demand when planning school places, supported by existing funding and new flexibilities through the Dedicated Schools Grant.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
10.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 10.2 The statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places sits with local authorities. Local authorities already consider overall place requirements and forecast demand in their areas, including when making decisions about reducing school places. There is currently a period of declining birth rates, but local authorities are well placed to handle this, having managed periods of decline, bulges and shifts in local patterns before. They do however require the support and constructive engagement of other responsible bodies in the area to work collaboratively on place planning matters. 10.3 It is prudent to retain some spare capacity in the system, to manage shifting demand and unexpected changes, provide for parental choice and support effective management of the admissions system. The department expects local areas to avoid excessive levels of surplus capacity. Local authorities and other responsible bodies should work together to manage the estate efficiently by reducing or finding alternative uses for high levels of surplus, to avoid potential detriment to the educational offer or financial position of schools in the area. 10.4 The department would expect local authorities, trusts and other local partners to consider a spectrum of options for the reutilisation of space, including for example co-locating nursery or special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision, as well as options for reconfiguration, including via remodelling, amalgamations/mergers, and closures where this is the best course of action. Local factors should be carefully weighed up, along with considerations of the quality, diversity and accessibility of local provision and the forecast demand for places, to determine the most appropriate approach in a given area. The department’s Pupil Place Planning Advisers engage with local authorities on a regular basis to review their plans for places in their area; and when local authorities are experiencing difficulties, they offer support and advice. 10.5 The department ensures that the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), which prioritises poor condition buildings, considers opportunities for reducing the overall capacity of rebuilt schools when current and forecast need in the school and planning area has reduced, scrutinising and challenging sufficiency data where necessary. 10.6 In addition to capital funding to support local authorities to meet their sufficiency duty, the department provides them with revenue funding for growth and falling rolls, through their Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). This funding can be used by local authorities to support schools with managing a significant growth in pupil numbers before the lagged funding system has caught up or a short-term decrease in pupil numbers, where those places are forecast to be required in future years. The Department has allocated £242 million in Growth and Falling Rolls funding to local authorities in 2024-25 through the DSG, and for the first time this funding is being allocated based on falling rolls as well as growth. The department is also giving local authorities greater flexibilities to use this funding to meet the revenue costs of reducing surplus places.